Celebrate local live music as part of Independent Venue Week 2022
Posted on: 11 Jan 2022Four Bristol venues have signed up to take part in the annual week-long celebration of independent venues across the country.
Independent Venue Week returns for the ninth consecutive time this month, running from Monday 31 January to Sunday 6 February. Billed as a celebration of the spirit of independent spaces, the event shines a light on the grassroots ecosystem within the live music sector after its toughest 18 months.
So far this year, 121 venues from 66 different villages, towns and cities have signed up to take part, 89% of which are outside of London. The Crofters Rights, The Louisiana, Rough Trade and Mr Wolf's will all be welcoming bands and artists as part of the event.
Head over to IVW's website for more information and a full schedule of live shows across the country.
— Independent Venue Week (@IVW_UK) January 1, 2022
IVW is a nod to the people that make the grassroots music community: the people that own, run and work in the venues, but also artists, managers, crew, the kit, merch, ticketing, tour transport companies, music fans and gig-goers.
This year, fast-rising duo and anointed IVW 2022 ambassadors Wet Leg are embarking on a whistle-stop tour of five participating venues across the country, including an appearance at The Louisiana on Thursday 3 February (sold out but keep an eye out in case tickets become available).
The duo said in a statement: "We grew up in a place where we had no music venues at all and after living in Bristol and London, it’s been incredible to experience what it’s like to be a part of a scene; to feel that sense of community that you can pinpoint geographically to a place, to a venue, I think is quite important and quite special particularly for emerging bands and artists.
"It’s a bit of a delicate ecosystem – music makers and lovers are supported by the venues and in turn, the venues are supported by bands/artists and their fans passing through. The way I see it is this: No Independent venues = No music scene. No community.
"And to me, I feel that that’s something worth continuing to preserve and nurture. That’s why we’re super stoked and very very proud to be ambassadors for this year’s Independent Venue Week.”
Known for their infectious live sets, Opus Kink are the first IVW 2022 act to headline in Bristol on Monday 31 January with Fake Turins providing support at Crofter's Rights.
Mr Wolf's welcomes Hum Fuzz and Catching Mangos on Friday 4 February in a night chock-a-block with soulful and uplifting tunes, before Little Thief and Masca take the reins on Saturday 5 February in a night of gritty alt-rock.
Label 0800-Moshi-Moshi will bring a collection of their artists to Rough Trade's intimate space on Friday 4 January at the tail end of a tour beginning in 2022.
Sybil Bell, founder of Independent Venue Week, said in a statement: “Being able to announce our plans for #IVW22 this week is just brilliant on so many levels. To see so many venues, artists, industry, and gig-goers excited about the return, in person, of the UK’s biggest celebration of live music in grassroots venues is absolutely fantastic.
"There is such an overwhelming desire to see everybody, on and off stage, safely packing out these brilliant venues with some of the best talent in the world, enjoying the best of our arts and culture up close all around the country."
Tickets for all events can be found by clicking the 'South West' tab on IVW's full list of gigs here.
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George is a journalism graduate and writer passionate about music and culture. Get in touch via email at george@365bristol.com
